Diver signal and/or marker

ABSTRACT

This invention is a device for divers and especially divers in ocean work and exploration. The diver wears a container having means to accommodate one or more capsules in which is stored a flexible bag which is to be inflated. When the bag is inflated, it rises to the surface of the water and becomes a signal or a marker buoy.

United States Patent [191 Casciano Sept. 25, 1973 DIVER SIGNAL AND/0R MARKER 2,830,309 4/1958' Lawson 9/9 [76] Inventor: Frederick M. Casciano, 811

Obmehani 501101111, Hawaii 211771442 10/1939 Reed...........:: 9/337 96813 v [22] Filed: Feb 24, 1971 '4 5 Primary Examiner Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Gregory W. O'Connor [21] APPI' 118,330 Attorney-Earl E. Moore 521 US. Cl .i,9/s R ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl B63b 5/02, B63b21/52 This invention is a device for divers and especially div- [58] Field of Search 9/8, 9;.l,l4/5 4; ers in ocean work and exploration. The diver wears a I 116/124 B, 26, 2,7 container having means to accommodate one or more l capsules in which is stored a flexible bag which is to be [56] References Cited inflated. When the bag is inflated, it rises to the surface UNITED STATES PATENTS of the water and becomes a signal or a marker buoy. 3,303,521 2/1967 Mix 9/9 11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDstrzsma 3.760.440

SHEET 1 [If 2 INVENTOR FREDERICK M. CASCIANO Y Mm ATTORNEY PATENTED $925975 SIEUBBFZ FIG.

INVENTOR FREDERICK M. CASCIANO I DIVER SIGNAL AND/R MARKER This invention relates to means and ways of providing ,a needed auxiliary device for scuba divers and others who work and, play below the surface of oceans, lakes, bays and' rivers. Under seal exploration, exploitation, scientific investigation and various other kinds of work and recreation therein are becoming more and. more common and in some cases vitally essential, and all procollection of samples of bottom life and sediments, etc.

This particular invention provides a container or packet means to be carried by a diver at any convenient place upon his body, but it is believed the preferred place'forsuch a packet is upon the calf portion of the divers legs. This packet means and its capsule or capsules contained therein are designed for signalling and marking purposes. It is simple and inexpensive and allows a scuba diver with ready means for communicating tothose attendants on the surface knowledge to his thoughts, requests, intentions, commands or findings. Such signalling and marking means include colored air bags and when floated to the surface of the water can indicated conditions down below and when used with the cord provided therewith can temporarily mark cations of bottom features or interesting or valuable finds which should be'worked or explored.

' Each such signal or marker is considered expendable but is constructed in such a manner that it may be recovered and re-used. The transmission of information is accomplished by sending one or a combination of brightly colored air inflated bags with their capsule housings to the surfac'e to indicate-a message in accordance with a pre-arranged code of communications such as. a red followed by a green might indicate to a surface attendant to lower a special item to the sea floor. The air bags are inflated by the diver by removing his mouthpiece and exhaling into the bag. The bag is thenreleased to float freely to. the surface or they may be slid up along a cord or line leading to the surface by means of the capsule cap. The surface end of this line may be attached to a boat, to a surface buoy, or to another inflated bag sent to the surface.

Marking of bottom locations or objects for identification on the surface is,accomplished in a fashion similar to the above except in this instance the bag is secured to the end of the cord provided on the spool. This is preferably done by tying the cord to the capsule cap through an eye made by snapping the cap backon the capsule body. The bag is thus sent to the surface and becomes a marker buoy tethered by the cord whose lower end is tied off to some object on the bottom.

The inflatable bags may also be used to send small objects to the surface for probable subsequent retrieval by using any additional securing device such as string or a barbed hook with which to attach the object to the bag. Examples of objects which might be lifted to the surface in this manner are small tools, biological specimens, fish, crustaceans or starfish. The bags with this payload may as before be floated freely to the surface or slid up along a cord to prevent their drifting off once on the surface.

The inflated bags are constructed of a thin, nondeteriorating in seawater, and most likely non-elastic material such as polyethylene. They may have almost any conceivable capacity but probably at least one pint and probably not greater than four quarts, with one quart deemed about optimum.

The purpose of the capsules is to provide a con venient way of containing each inflatable bag for easy carrying in a packet. Also, to provide a mouthpiece to hold the mouth or opening of the bag open for inflation, and to provide a place to fasten a cord to the bag as well as an eye through which the bag can be slid upward along a cord or line.

The amount of air that need be inserted for full inflation at the surface depends on the divers depth. At greater depths less air is required, making it easier for the diver, since the air expands as it rises and thus inflates the bag fully. Expanding air in excess of the capacity of the bag is allowed to pass out the mouthpiece thereby preventing bursting.

The balloon or air bag may be of any suitable color but the color should be bright for easy aquisition in the sea.'It is desired to have bags of several different colors available to the user.

When the bag is released underwater, the diver could release it to float freelyto the surface or tie one end of the cord to the capsule as shown 'later and release it thusly. Subsequent balloons or bags could be released.

to slide up the cord or any other line so that these would not drift away when arriving at the surface. The means provided on the capsule to accomplish this sliding feature is shown later. Additionally, the bag could be attached to some small payload and use the eye made with the capsule cap and any other attaching device.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a simple, economical signalling and marking means which a diver can send to the water surface and wherein a suitable container is provided to accommodate the signalling and marking means.

Another object is to present a handy container for a plurality of signals and markers which are economical to make and manufacture and which is very convenient to use under most conditions that may be encountered under water.

Another object is to provide means for sending small objects to the surface of the water.

And still another object and objects will become apparent from reading the preamble to this case.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. I is a front elevational view of a divers packet which contains a plurality of capsules;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a capsule;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the capsule;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an axle;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a capsule showing a balloon extended therefrom and inflated.

FIG. 10 is a modified form of the invention wherein parts are shown in section.

The particular form of the invention is illustrated shows a container or packet which has three elongated bins or tubes 1,2 and 3 which may be made of plastic material or any other material suitable for use in salt water or in fresh water. The tube 1 has the bottom wall 4 and the tube 3 has the bottom wall 5 and these bottom walls have their edges firmly secured to their respective tube ends. The central tube 2 has a bottom wall 6 which is the top end of an inserted wooden or plastic plug member 6 and this member is secured firmly to the bottom end portion of the tube 2. Obviously the tube 2 and its plug 6 may be substituted for any one of the other tubes if desired. A single tube like tube 2 may be employed depending upon the number of capsules to be carried. Each tube has an elongated slot and this is indicated at 7, 8 and 9.

For support of the tubes 1, 2 and 3, the slightly curved cross strips or bars 10 and 11 are employed and these bars may be made of any suitable material such as plastic. These bars are spaced apart and are secured to the rear surface portions of the tubes by cement or other means which may be rivets or bolts. These bars A are curved so as to neatly conform to a persons calf in that this part of the leg is best suited for the unit or packet. A strap or tie means is attached to the top bar and this strap is indicated at 12. The strap may be secured to the bar by rivets or cement and a similar strap may be provided for the bar 11.

Along the open tops of the tubes is stretched an elastic band or strip 13 which is designed to prevent capsules from leaving their respective tubes 1, 2 and 3. When the elastic band is shifted to one side by the divers fingers a capsule can be easily slid out of its tube and ready for use. This elastic band has its ends laced through openings like 14 at the top ends of the tubes 1 and 3 or holes may be provided through all the tubes so that the band has no part laying over the tubes. Any other other means may be substituted to accomplish this function. The ends of the band are anchored at its ends to the tubes by an suitable means which may include a knotted end and cement.

The plug means 6 has a bore 15 through which is fixed an axle means 16 as clearly shown in FIG. 3. The rear portion of the axle means 16 is anchored in place by a cross pin 17 which passes through a bore in the axle and note that the ends of the pin are countershunk into the plug 6 so that the axle will not rotate. The front end of the axle is provided with a spool or reel member 17. The axle is a stainless steel or brass one or of any other suitable material that is non-corrosive by fresh or salt water. The portion 18 of this axle is enlarged and passes through a bore 19 of the spool and this provides a suitable bearing means. Washers 20, 21 and 22 are provided and between washers 21 and 22 there is a coiled spring member which places tension between the plug and the raised portion of the axle. To keep the axle and spool assembly firmly in place the spring is important. This design permits removal of the entire axlespool assembly readily underwater by pressing in on the axle and turning it 90 This is to facilitate unwinding of the cord underwater if doing so with assembly in place becomes difficult.

The cord 25 may be waxed cotton or any other kind of flexible material suitable for the purposes. The outer end of the cord is shown knotted at 26 but other means may be substituted.

A cutting tab 17' is provided on the outer face of the spool as shown to permit cutting of the cord without need of an additional tool. Approximately yards of cord may be wound on the spool and may be upspooled and cut to lengths primarily for use in the "marker" function of this invention or for other uses as may become apparent.

The spool 17 may be of a single plastic formation wherein a central core 27 is provided and which core is integral with and flanked by the pair of spaced wheel members 28 and 29. This spacing provides sufficient room so that the cord 25 can be wound on the hub 27.

In each tube 1, 2 and 3 or any selected one of them one or more capsules A are provided and stacked in vertical order. Each capsule is a cylindrical-like shaped thing having the wall 31 and the flanged bottom wall 32. The capsules are shown round in cross section but it is possible that it may have other cross section shapes which may be oval, square, hexagon etc. In this particular case the capsules are round because the container tubes 1, 2 and 3 are round.

The capsule wall and bottom provides the chamber 33. The bottom wall 32 has an opening 34 so that the diver can blow air through it and into the bag 35. The bottom open end portion 35 of the bag is spread apart and anchored about the bottom wall 32. When the bottom wall is forced into the bottom end of the capsule, the open end portion of the bag is firmly secured. Obviously, cement may be employed if desired. The diver can remove his scuba regulator and exhale into the bag and inflate it while under water.

As shown in FIG. 10, the modified form shows the bottom portion of a capsule 50 and a portion of an inflatable bag 35 is shown in the chamber of the capsule. The bottom wall of the capsule has an opening 51 which accommodates the bottom open portion of the bag 35. The flange 52 is formed about the opening 51 so that the corrugated portion 53 of a closure cap or plug can be inserted into the opening of the bag and thus firmly hold the bag in position. This corrugated portion 54 is elastic enough to make a secure fit and is satisfactory for such a purpose.

Integral with the portion 53 there is the disclike plate or cover 54 and this cover has the blow hole 55 so that a diver can easily inflate the bag 35 while undersea. The entire closure means 53-55 would ordinarily be made of a suitable plastic material, but it should be apparent that other materials could be employed. This showing in FIG. 10 could easily be substituted for the similar capsule closure means shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9.

Each capsule A has a compressed bag stored therein and is preferably attached to the capsule in the manner aforesaid. The top closure means or cover 36 is provided with a stepped-in plug-like means 37 so that the top of the chamber 33 can be closed tightly. A tab 38 is integral with the cover and protrudes therefrom so that the diver can easily open the capsule cover to release the bag which is twisted and tightly packed in the chamber. The elongated slots 7, 8 and 9 of the packet aid the diver in obtaining a capsule as he can work his finger therealong to shift each capsule. The cover is hinged by a flexible strip 39 having one end fixed to the wall 31, by cement for instance, and the other end fixed or cemented to the cover 36 in the manner shown in FIG. 5. The capsule may be made of any suitable material and colored to suit, but a clear plastic capsule may be preferred. This makes it easier for the diver to select the proper colored bag.

The cover of the capsule has a bead 40 which is adapted to engage a hole 41. This forms a loop means which is helpful to'the diver when he wishes to send a bag signal upwardly along a cord or line or to tie cord to the capsule, or a cord may be tied to the capsule at any convenient portion thereof.

Certain novel features and details of this invention are disclosed herein, and in some cases in considerable detail, and this is in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed in not necessarily limited to the exact form and details disclosed since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described and claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed and believed new and which is desired to be secured b Letters Patent is:

l.' A capsule means having a tubular wall which providesa chamber, an inflatable bag in the chamber, and passage means through the capsule to enable a diver to inflate the bag, a coverhinged to the tubular wall, a beadmeans on the cover, a hole along one side of the capsule which is adapted to receive the bead means to form a loop so that the capsule can slide along a cord and the like.

2. The capsule means recited in claim 1 wherein the .bag has an opening which surrounds said passage dispensing capsules in a convenient manner.

4. A capsule means having a tubular wall which provides a chamber, an inflatable bag in the chamber, and passage means through the capsule to enable a diver to inflate the bag, and further comprising a packet which holds one or .more capsules in an orderly fashion and thus provides a carrying means for dispensing capsules in a convenient manner, wherein the packet has a tubular chamber with its bottom closed by a plug means and a spool means journaled to the plug, said spool means providing a chamber in which is wound a long length of cord, and slot means for dispensing the cord.

5. A capsule means having a tubular wall which provides a chamber, an inflatable bag in the chamber, and passage means through the capsule to enable a diver to inflate the bag, and further comprising a packet which holds one or more capsules in an orderly fashion and thus provides a carrying means for dispensing capsules in a convenient manner, wherein the packet has a plurality of side-by-side dispensing tubes with elastic means across the upper portion of the tubes to prevent accidental loss of capsules, and means for holding the tubes to present a curved back portion which is adapted to comfortably fit a leg portion of the diver,

and strap means attached to the packet so that the packet can be attached to the leg of a diver.

6. The capsule recited in claim 5 wherein the packet I is provided with a spool which houses a coil of cord,

and means for easy removal of the spool for use apart from the packet.

7. A capsule means having a tubular'wall which provides a chamber, an inflatable bag in the chamber, and passage means through the capsule to enable a diver to inflate the bag, and further comprising a packet which holds one or more capsules in an orderly fashion and thus provides a carrying means for dispensing capsules in a convenient manner, wherein the carrying means supports an axle, a spool upon which is wound a length of cord, and means so that the spool can be separated from the packet for use apart from the packet.

8. Divers inflatable buoyant marker apparatus comprising a tube having a valveless opening in a proximal end, a flexible plastic bag connected to the tube and folded and packed in the tube and having a single opening in permanent communication with the opening in the tube, whereby the bag is compressed within the tube before use and is pulled from the tube, air is supplied through the tube and to the bag, and the tube and bag are open to ambient fluid in use, and further comprising a hinge connected to the tube and a cap connected to the hinge, whereby a line is connected to the tube via the hinge.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the bag is attached to the tube at the proximal end of the tube and extends through the tube.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a packet holding a plurality of the tubes before use, and means for mounting the packet on a diver.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising tangle-free line dispensing means connected to the packet for dispensing a line free of tangles. 

1. A capsule means having a tubular wall which provides a chamber, an inflatable bag in the chamber, and passage means through the capsule to enable a diver to inflate the bag, a cover hinged to the tubular wall, a bead means on the cover, a hole along one side of the capsule which is adapted to receive the bead means to form a loop so that the capsule can slide along a cord And the like.
 2. The capsule means recited in claim 1 wherein the bag has an opening which surrounds said passage means, and a removable bottom piece in the capsule which holds the bag in position about the opening thereof.
 3. The capsule recited in claim 1 wherein a packet is provided which holds one or more capsules in an orderly fashion and thus provides a carrying means for dispensing capsules in a convenient manner.
 4. A capsule means having a tubular wall which provides a chamber, an inflatable bag in the chamber, and passage means through the capsule to enable a diver to inflate the bag, and further comprising a packet which holds one or more capsules in an orderly fashion and thus provides a carrying means for dispensing capsules in a convenient manner, wherein the packet has a tubular chamber with its bottom closed by a plug means and a spool means journaled to the plug, said spool means providing a chamber in which is wound a long length of cord, and slot means for dispensing the cord.
 5. A capsule means having a tubular wall which provides a chamber, an inflatable bag in the chamber, and passage means through the capsule to enable a diver to inflate the bag, and further comprising a packet which holds one or more capsules in an orderly fashion and thus provides a carrying means for dispensing capsules in a convenient manner, wherein the packet has a plurality of side-by-side dispensing tubes with elastic means across the upper portion of the tubes to prevent accidental loss of capsules, and means for holding the tubes to present a curved back portion which is adapted to comfortably fit a leg portion of the diver, and strap means attached to the packet so that the packet can be attached to the leg of a diver.
 6. The capsule recited in claim 5 wherein the packet is provided with a spool which houses a coil of cord, and means for easy removal of the spool for use apart from the packet.
 7. A capsule means having a tubular wall which provides a chamber, an inflatable bag in the chamber, and passage means through the capsule to enable a diver to inflate the bag, and further comprising a packet which holds one or more capsules in an orderly fashion and thus provides a carrying means for dispensing capsules in a convenient manner, wherein the carrying means supports an axle, a spool upon which is wound a length of cord, and means so that the spool can be separated from the packet for use apart from the packet.
 8. Diver''s inflatable buoyant marker apparatus comprising a tube having a valveless opening in a proximal end, a flexible plastic bag connected to the tube and folded and packed in the tube and having a single opening in permanent communication with the opening in the tube, whereby the bag is compressed within the tube before use and is pulled from the tube, air is supplied through the tube and to the bag, and the tube and bag are open to ambient fluid in use, and further comprising a hinge connected to the tube and a cap connected to the hinge, whereby a line is connected to the tube via the hinge.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the bag is attached to the tube at the proximal end of the tube and extends through the tube.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a packet holding a plurality of the tubes before use, and means for mounting the packet on a diver.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising tangle-free line dispensing means connected to the packet for dispensing a line free of tangles. 